Celeb mommies bringing you down?

There must be something in the water in Hollywood.  It seems that everybody who is anybody is having a baby.  Not only that, but these celebrity mommies are coming back to their pre-baby shape in record time.

Seeing pictures of Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba and Nicole Kidman looking better than ever after giving birth can leave the average new mom feeling upset.  Some moms may ask themselves, “if these celeb mommies can shed 40 lbs. in 4 weeks, then what am I doing wrong?” Unfortunately, this new wave of celebrity post-baby fitness is setting unrealistic expectations for many women and their partners. 

The weight you gained during pregnancy was a good thing.  It helped give your beautiful new baby the nutrients he needed to grow.  Now that he is born, it’s perfectly fine to try and get back into shape.  With your health provider’s OK, you can start light exercises as soon as you feel ready.  Just be sure to take things slowly.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests starting your way back into fitness with a walk.  Take a brisk walk whenever you can, everyday if possible.  When you feel up to it, you can move on to more intensive exercises.  Swimming is another great workout.  Some local fitness or community health centers offer classes that specialize in workouts for new moms.  Not only will you begin to see healthy results, you’ll also experience extra energy, which you’ll need to keep up with caring for a newborn.

The most important thing is that you go at your own pace and choose a workout that’s right for you.  Remember – it’s not a race to the skinny jeans.  Focus on eating well-balanced meals and living a healthy lifestyle.  You’ll be much happier and healthier in the long run.

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